Trolling motor question

[BIGSHOW]

Ive always had terrovas and loved them. But something came up and im looking at a boat with a fortrex. I hear some guys love them. Am i missing something? I loved the remote and anchor etc. Etc. What does the fortrex have that makes it popular?

[fishstick]

The cable steer gives it instant responsiveness and the scissor mount is an ultra quick stow and deploy. Plus it was built to take a beating, they are great motors. But if you are used to using a Terrova you will definitely miss not having spot lock on the Fortrex.

Look into the possibility of upgrading to a Minn Kota Ultrex it has the best of both worlds.

[djkimmel]

That would be my preference too. Spot-lock and the cable steering I've known for decades.

[BIGSHOW]

I'm not a walleye fisherman but the few times i go in early spring that anchor holds that position great. Even with the fast current. If it works out i may try to list it here and buy a terrova. The one plus i think i remember is you can use the 360 scan with the cable and not the terrova

[djkimmel]

Don't know about the 360 Scan limits. Someone else probably does without me having to look it up or ask someone smarter.

Spot-lock is pretty amazing but I have to start with cable steering as that's what I've known for long time, and works for the way I fish. That's probably the first thing everyone needs to determine, is what fits the way they fish the most.

[mikesmiph]

I had a Fortrex on my last boat and loved it. Quiet and powerful and I loved the ease of use with the cable steer. This boat, I went with the Ultrex. It has everything the Fortrex had plus so much more. I love every feature on it. The spot lock is great. I have a smaller boat and really don't think Talons are practical for my boat. I also really like the follow the contour feature (make sure you use a Lakemaster chip). Neither motor has the stow and deploy, but that's all the Ultrex doesn't do. I love mine.

[Rangerman]

Fourtrex 112 was the best trolling motor on the planet TILL I swapped it for a Ultrex.  Man talk about the King of the Hill. Power steer instant, and get in and out of tight places I could not before due to quick steer.  Only draw back is in my Z520C the recessed foot pedal is not deep enough by about a inch.  Sometimes I hit the spot lock or coarse North by mistake.  Really think you should look at the Ultrex love mine. I am not using the build in transducer but the DI.SI transducer mounted to lower end.  Works great. Now that out of the way, Guys how about turn the heaters up for water temp on St. Clair the Lake Norman Mafia headed back up for a week or so June 8 and please some current fishing reports. Ding Dong I know you boys don't fish much in the winter up there due to hard water Just come on down to Norman we open 24/7/365 and the fishing is much better during the winter months .  Heck it's not but 12 hours WAO and all down hill.

[djkimmel]

Spring may have finally arrived Friday... not 100% sure but maybe... should be in time for the bass to do their thing like always though maybe a day or two behind.

They are still dealing with hard water across the northern half of the state though. Poor anglers... I feel for them.

[BIGSHOW]

Yea, im leaning towards the ultrex. I to have a z520. Someone else said that about the foot petal.  Guess ill have to get used to it. I had 2 terrovas and use the heck out of the remote though. I miss that

[djkimmel]

Definitely a different feel between the remote/lagging electric drive and the power cable steer but if you already have the electric drive part down as you do AND you can use the cable steer that's like fluently speaking two languages!! You can run any boat.

I never actually got a chance to use the newer electric drive foot pedals so I don't know how improved those might be. The older ones drove me crazy. I don't know how long it was going to take me to get used to the steering lag...?? There were times the remote came in real handy but as all fishing equipment choices end up being a compromise and I use the foot pedal the most to steer intricate directions often with the need of fast direction changes that is the way to go for me.

I wonder if some day they will get to the point where they can combine all of these things into one trolling motor? That will be something. (Of course, some day they'll have voice-activated or even... mind-control motors!! You can bet on it!!)

[mikesmiph]

The remote on my Ultrex is very responsive. I use it all the time.

[djkimmel]

Okay... there are TOO many 'trex' 'ult' and 'ova' motor models now!! I've got myself completely confused about which motor does which thing... I vote Minn Kota comes up with completely new names that aren't all alike (basically sounding like something from Marvel Comics!).

I thought the Ultrex was the newer cable drive so I was wondering how the heck you're using a remote for it?!?

Now I'm trying to remember WHAT motor was it they showed me at the shows this winter that had the new awesome foot pedal??

Every time I've been in a boat with one of the electric drive motors I've had a heck of a time dealing with the lag between the making the 'request' to turn verses making the turn coming from my world of my foot moves and the motor moves with it. I imagine I would eventually get used to it but you know what they say about teaching old dogs new tricks...

I guess I need to go fishing with one of my Minn Kota expert friends and ask a bunch of questions to refresh my rotten memory again too.

[djkimmel]

I'm looking at the Minn Kota website and starting to think maybe I've misremembered something again...??

[mikesmiph]

The Ultrex is a combination. I got it with I Pilot link. It has a remote. It does everything except self deploy.

[djkimmel]

Yeah... I've just managed to confuse myself again.

[Rangerman]

Ultrex Dan, finer than frog hair, all the Lake Norman Mafia crowd has gone them.  One buddy got one and his buddy fished with him, and then another, Y'all know the drill. Sure nuff instance steer no lag.  I hated turning loose of the $$$$$$ to replace a almost new Fourtrex but well worth the money.

[djkimmel]

If you can swing something better you might as well get it. You only live once and for so long (an unknown number of days).

[Rangerman]

Hot Tip #31A from the Lake Norman Mafia To off set the mistaken bump on of Spot Lock or Coarse North mount a 3/4 piece of Pex (black hard rubber water pipe) on the right side to block the buttons from being hit will fishing.  Just mount to the recessed pedal with small black screws.  Works like a top. Total cost is about $3.00 All the guys are getting em from me, I carry them and had em out free to the locals. Hope to see some of you potlickers in June we hitting the pond June 8,9 thu the 16th.  Got the DNR ramp ranson fee pass's,( All Free down South) licences etc.